..           

In 1939 Robert Jones (left) worked for the Midland Bank and was also a Territorial soldier in The London Rifle Brigade (LRB). Immediately the Second World War started he joined up as a full-time soldier in the LRB, which was designated the 7th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (RB), in 1941. He remained with the RB until the end of the War. He then spent two years as a farmer in Wales before resuming his career with the Midland Bank in London. His final appointment with the Bank was as the Manager of the High Road branch in Ilford, Essex. Upon his retirement in 1973, he returned to Wales to live in Criccieth where he died on 22 January 1999, aged 85.

On 25 October 1942 CSM Jones was a Sergeant in 7 RB which formed a part of 7 Motor Brigade in 1st Armoured Division, which was seeking to force a way through Rommel’s Panzerarmee defences at El Alamein. The citation for his Military Medal reads as follows:

At El Wishka the 25th October, 1942

This Sergeant was directing machine-gun fire on enemy targets, when one of the gunners was hit. He immediately took his place and continued firing. His number two gunner was then hit and was replaced by his platoon officer, who had already been wounded. He had fired about six belts when his officer was killed and was replaced by another Rifleman. He continued firing until this Rifleman was also wounded, when he directed the withdrawal of his section of medium machine guns to a less exposed position. Throughout, he continued steadily firing in the face of heavy enemy opposition. After this he took command of the platoon and showed considerable leadership for four more days. His gallant conduct and coolness kept his platoon in action and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. (London Gazette, 14 January 1943)

The Museum Trustees are most grateful to CSM Jones’s stepson for very generously donating his stepfather’s medals and other material associated with his stepfather’s service in the Regiment to the Museum Trust.